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Dark Horse Comics Solicitations for product shipping January, 2002

With the rapidly expanding explosion of manga and anime, the vast creative and spiritual influence of the late, great Osamu Tezuka is being recognized worldwide, the skill, depth, and humanity of his storytelling placing him among the giants of the comics medium. Astro Boy is the action/adventure archetype for the 21st century, an action-packed roller-coaster ride fo5r all ages imbued with humor, warmth, and wry commentary on humanity in the technological age. In this volume: “Roboid”; “The Eues of Christ”; “Rejuvenating Gas”; and “Space Broadcast.”

The title page alone is worth the cover price on this one. It screams “poster!!” But, of course we’re not going to print only the title page. That would be ridiculous. So instead, we’re going to give you more and more of that signature Blade of the Immortal fighting action. This time, we’re in the middle of a battle featuring two of the coolest characters, Manji and Magatsu, and one of the most fearsome guys, Shira, as well as three lowly kenshi trying to make a dollar on the side, and adding some comic relief to this consistently tense title. These guys read like an homage to the three stooges. Hiroaki Samura is reputed by many to be the master of manga, his art unrivaled, his characters complex and emotional. Remember, manga is NOT just big eyes and speed lines, it’s tension, it’s character, it’s kinetic art, and when it’s Blade of the Immortal, it’s fan-freakin’-tastic!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 8

b&w, 32pg (3 of 6) . . . $2.99

B.P.R.D. BASEBALL HAT

Straight from the company store of the Bureau For Paranormal Research and Defense, this B.P.R.D. baseball-style hat is now available to the general public. This is a low-profile, solid black cotton hat, embroidered with the B.P.R.D logo. From the best-selling comic series created by Mike Mignola.

On sale March 26

Black, embroidered hat . . . $17.99

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #53: VIVA LAS BUFFY part 3 (of 4)

by FABIAN NICIEZA, SCOTT LOBDELL, CLIFF RICHARDS, and WILL CONRAD;

cover by BRIAN HORTON and PAUL LEE

Find out why Buffy and Pike split-up before Buffy moved to the Hellmouth. See just what happened to Giles in those fateful days before he was Buffy’s Watcher. Be the first one on your block to know when and where this whole Buffy/Angel thing started.

Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza continue their controversial take on the Slayer’s salad days. Don’t miss what every hardcore Buffy fan’s talking about.

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg (3 of 4) (Horton/Lee cover) . . . $2.99

FC, 32pg (3 of 4) (Photo cover) . . . $2.99

CANNON GOD EXAXXION #13

by KENICHI SONODA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS

The action is heating up in Cannon God Exaxxion, as our hero Hoichi has finally found his fighting spirit. At first troubled by the concept of sacrificing the few for he many, Hoichi saw many of his friends die at the hands of the colonizing aliens. Now that he’s seen how mean they can be, he’s about to show them the resolve of the humans, with fury and youthful rebellion. In the last issue, he was in a pitched battle with an alien robot of equal size and greater fury, but the fantastic technology developed by Hoichi’s grandfather was the victor, and the irony is the technology originally belonged to the aliens of the past! How did it come to be on Earth? And how did Hoichi’s grandfather develop the technology? Well, in issue #13 some of that will begin to be explained, and we’ll see how Akane deals with being a captor of the aliens. Will they force the information out of her. It’s a informational, nail-biting issue. Don’t miss it!

o From the creator of Gunsmith Cats!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 15

b&w, 40pg . . . $3.50

CLASSIC COMIC CHARACTERS #38: OFFISSA PUPP STATUE

Offissa Pupp is the third component of the unusual love triangle that began with Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse. The evolution of this triangle was gradual, reaching its full bloom in the twenties, as Herriman began to focus on characterization more intensely. This is when Offissa Pupp discovered his unrequited love for Krazy and made it his business to intercede in the ubiquitous brick-tossing episodes perpetrated by Ignatz. Offissa Pupp also served as a metaphor of order and authority, opposing the chaos represented by Ignatz..

She’s cute. She’s a barrel of fun. She’s irrepressible. And…a bit of a klutz. She’s Haruo Hattori, and now she’s leaving her little country farm town, her boyfriend, and her loony family for college in the big city. Before she leaves, she makes a pledge that she’ll remain true to her boyfriend, despite all the temptations a big city can throw at her, and the temptations pile up like cordwood when the need for a few yen to rub together nets her a job at Club 9, a hot hostess bar. The charming country girl lights a lot of fires in the hearts of the club patrons, and her short skirt is fanning the flames! How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm once they been to Club 9? Collecting the story-arc from issues #13-19 of the Super Manga Blast! ongoing series.

Club 9 is raucous slice-of-life, fish-out-of-water comedy as only What’s Michael? creator Makoto Kobayashi can craft.

On sale February 12

SC, 192pg, 6″ x 9″, b&w . . . $15.95

COOP COASTER SET

Devilish babes, sweet rides, clean lines, and a deep, devilish infatuation with the dark side have kept Coop on top of the low-brow artists’ heap for a long while. That, and of course, his incredibly gorgeous sense of design. Here is our latest addition to the Coop fan collection: a set of four thick and sturdy full color Coop coasters, packaged in a sweet little tin case.

On sale March 26

4 full-color coasters, packaged in a tin case . . . $12.99

GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE #4

by MASAMUNE SHIROW

An important meeting of VIPs at Poseidon Industrial turns to mayhem and then murder right under the nose of cyborg cyber-agent Motoko Aramaki and Poseidon’s security team. With the blood still wet on the polished hardwood, Motoko must once again jack into cyberspace and try to solve the crime with the use of one of her cyborg surrogates – providing her surrogate survives a knock-down drag-out encounter with a hit team of murderous machines! The mind-blowing sequel to the manga/anime classic Ghost in the Shell, Masamune Shirow’s Man-Machine Interface shatters the boundaries of graphic fiction, conjuring a fully realized visual reality unlike anything seen before but certain to be imitated for years to come.

o Special deluxe format with no interior advertising!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 22

FC/b&w, 32pg (no ads) . . . $3.50

GRENDEL: GOD AND THE DEVIL #0

by MATT WAGNER and TIM SALE;

cover by TIM SALE

Hunter Rose was only the beginning. Christine Spar and Brian Li Sung: merely pawns in the Devil’s grip, incubating the spirit of Grendel until it was ready to explode into the world and spread across all of human consciousness like a virus infecting its host. Now, several hundred years in the future, as mankind slowly pulls itself together after a third World War, opportunistic religions and obsessive corporations battle for attention. But one force rises above it all and dominates the public psyche – there’s a new drug in town, it’s euphoric, it’s deadly, it’s called Grendel!

o Written by Grendel creator Matt Wagner and illustrated by Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Daredevil: Yellow), this issue is the prelude to the groundbreaking and controversial Grendel series God and the Devil.

MATURE READERS

On sale January 8

FC, 32pg . . . $3.50

KISS #6

by JOE CASEY and MEL RUBI

It’s knock-down, drag-out fisticuffs in the hard-rocking, ass-kicking sixth issue of KISS as we wrap up their long-overdue second go-round with the Phantom. The team must defeat their evil robot counterparts in deadly, hand-to-hand combat, in the classic comic-book tradition, as flesh and blood meets heavy metal!

Don’t miss the conclusion to this fantastic 3-part story arc written by comic superstar Joe Casey (Wild CATS, X-Men) and drawn by Mel Rubi (Angel).

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg (Rubi cover) . . . $2.99

FC, 32pg (Photo cover) . . . $2.99

KISS: REDISCOVERY TP

BY JOE CASEY, MEL RUBI, and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Rock & Roll’s most outrageous icons return, bigger, badder, louder, and more powerful than ever before. KISS is back in comics. One of the comic industry’s hottest young writers, Joe Casey (Superman, Wildcats, X-Men), takes the KISS comics phenomenon in a bold new direction. In the years following the split-up of these four super-powered warriors, they’ve followed very separate paths. The Demon is a bounty hunter; The Starchild lives with a race of women warriors in South America; The Celestial is cruising the solar system with no human contact; and The Beast King’s getting in touch with his bestial side. When Beast King finally goes too far, the others realize they have to band together to save his humanity. But there’s another hand at work, pushing the Four Who Are One into a corner. Collecting the first four issues of the ongoing series!

On sale February 19

SC, 80pg, FC . . . $10.95

LITTLE ANNIE FANNY: THE COMPLETE HARDCOVER LIMITED EDITION

by HARVEY KURTZMAN and WILL ELDER

Dark Horse proudly rolls out the greatest pair since comics and sex first crossed paths – the complete two-volume slipcased edition of Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder’s three-decade contribution to Playboy Magazine.

From 1962 to 1988 Little Annie Fanny graced the pages of Playboy, lampooning every aspect of American life. Now every last strip is collected here, in a pink-leather hardcover set, with matching slipcase. A special tip-in plate is part of this special limited run of 500 sets, signed by Annie editor and Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner.

The Complete Little Annie Fanny is now the ultimate Playboy collectible!

On sale November 20

HC Ltd., 464pg, FC . . . $150.00

LONE WOLF 2100 #7

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

Many hands make small work, but small hands make simple slaves. Itto and Daisy travel through the congested underworld of Kowloon, China seeking refuge from the tireless pursuers hellbent on returning Daisy to the corporate labs of Cygnat Owari. But Fate deals both sides a wild card when she falls into the clutches of a remorseless child-labor camp run by renegade Emulation Constructs! Inspired by the timeless samurai drama of Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima’s classic Lone Wolf and Cub, Lone Wolf 2100 is winning fans and astounding readers with Mike Kennedy’s vision of a future gone bad and Francisco Ruiz Velasco’s incredible artwork.

o Don’t miss this month’s special companion book, Lone Wolf 2100: Eyes Only Files for of this amazing series!

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg . . . $2.99

LONE WOLF 2100: THE RED FILE (one-shot)

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

Now available for the first time anywhere, information ripped from the secret files of Terasawa, the android avatar of the Cygnat Owari’s Supreme Executive. Learn the hidden truth behind Dr. Ogami’s murder! Discover the classified details of the robot, android, and human assassins employed by Terasawa in his quest to destroy Itto and return Daisy Ogami to the Cygnat Owari labs! Find out how Terasawa has used the man made plague known as the War Spore to his own ends! More than just a “handbook” with information about the characters, these secret files tell an important story that forms the backdrop to all of Itto and Daisy’s adventures! This dossier-style book is packed with information and drawings that were part and parcel of the development of the hit series Lone Wolf 2100. Also includes dozens of new illustrations and designs!

On sale January 15

FC, 32pg (one-shot) . . . $2.99

LONE WOLF 2100: SHADOWS ON SAPLINGS TP

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

A young girl may hold the key to saving the world – or destroying it. A corporation wants her secret – no matter what it may be. Her only companion is an android – who is accused of killing her father. The first full-length adventure of young Daisy Ogami and her android protector Itto is now available in one volume! Plunge into the dystopian world one hundred years in the future, where human-like “Emulation Constructs” fight to enjoy the same rights as their human creators, where the vast majority of the world’s human population struggles to eke out an existence in a hostile landscape, and where both sides are victim to corporate whim and the deadly effects of a manmade plague. Collecting the first four issues of the series.

A ground-up re-imagining of the original Lone Wolf and Cub manga, this series is being done in association with, and under the watchful eye of Kazuo Koike, the writer and co-creator of Lone Wolf and Cub.

On sale February 19

SC, 104pg, FC . . . $12.95

THE NEVERMEN: STREETS OF BLOOD #1 (of 3)

BY PHIL AMARA, GUY DAVIS, and DAN JACKSON;

Cover by GUY DAVIS

After saving Midnight City from the twisted machinations of mutant villains, the Nevermen return to their lives as everyday citizens, unaware that an even greater threat stirs far below the city streets. He calls himself Winterbone, and he’s closer to the Nevermen than any of them could possibly imagine.

Streets of Blood, the followup to last year’s critically-acclaimed thriller, answers questions and reveals secrets about the enigmatic protectors of the innocent. Phil Amara and Guy Davis are cooking up a story that’s got more twists than a lime-rickey.

As you may remember from last month, the OMG! gang is in a bit of a predicament. In an attempt at storing a large amount of stuff in the temple/house where they live, Skuld has created a funky machine that stretches space, and as usual, Keichi messes up, and expands space too much. Well, the adventure continues and just gets stranger. Be prepared to meet a creature that lives inside the dimension of space. This creature has the capacity to wreak havoc, but whether or not it will, or wants to, remains to be seen. Also, special appearances abound! Who’s that on television? One hint, space is the theme.

On sale January 2

b&w, 32pg (4 of 5) . . . $2.99

OH MY GODDESS!: HAND IN HAND TP

by KOSUKE FUJISHIMA

What happens when a Goddess First Class gets a little tipsy when partying with pals? Well, lacking a mean bone in her body, the pickled Belldandy uses her powers to give everyone what they want – and every time she gives happiness to someone, there’s an unexpected consequence: boyfriend Keiichi is visited by an equal or greater unhappiness! And when Belldandy magically glues her hand to Keiichi’s, despite the best efforts of Bell’s sister goddesses Urd and Skuld to separate them, Keiichi’s begins to notice that there might be some benefits to be linked to the most beautiful goddess on earth! It’s bath time!

On sale February 5

SC, 256pg, b&w, 6″ x 9″ . . . $17.95

OH MY GODDESS! STICKERS

Stick these bright and colorful Oh My Goddess! stickers all around and spread the love! Stickers measure approximately 4″ square, and have a palpable goddess aura about them. Each sticker is UV coated to ensure the image will never fade.

On sale February 12

Belldandy sticker . . . $1.99

Urd sticker . . . $1.99

Bampei sticker . . . $1.99

Oh My Goddess! logo sticker . . . $1.99

Also available as a four-pack in a polybag and printed headercard with j-hook for . . .$6.99.

PUBO #2 (of 3)

by LELAND PURVIS

Worldly misfit and bizarre medical wonder P.U.B.O. (Physical Unipolar Biogenic Organism) has crash landed in the vast Pacific Northwest wilderness. Now he’s on the run from those who made him what he is and a few of the less friendly, furry, woodland creatures he’s managed to piss off in his short time among them. The forest is alive, the animals can talk, and Pubo’s in over his head in part two of this hilarious miniseries from Xeric Award-winning creator Leland Purvis.

On sale January 22

b&w, 24pg (2 of 3) . . . $3.50

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #5

by RANDY STRADLEY, DAVIDÉ FABBRI, and CHRISTIAN DELLA VECCHIA

Cover by BRYAN CHING

In the weeks prior to the events in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa undertakes a covert mission to deliver much needed supplies to the Rebel Alliance on the planet Ralltiir, only to have her mission thwarted when the forces of the Empire – including Darth Vader – take control of the planet. Leia escapes without the Imperials discovering the true reason for her visit, but she realizes that the time may be past for talk and “mercy missions.” Turning her attention to another of the galaxy’s trouble spots, Leia finds herself up to her neck in Imperial trouble and comes to terms with the need to take up arms against an evil enemy. Before she was a political firebrand, driven by an outraged sense of justice. Now she must fight to save a people targeted for extinction.

o Expanded from the National Public Radio dramatization of Star Wars, this two-issue story reveals for the first time the pivotal events that transformed Leia from a princess…to a warrior.

Two months after the Battle of Geonosis…w ith the forces of the Republic and the armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems stalled in a series of indecisive battles, the Separatists risk a devastating strike at the heart of the Republic’s war machine: they attack the cloning facility on Kamino! Their hope is to permanently destroy the Republic’s ability to create new clones for its army. The Republic’s defense rests on a squadron of Jedi Starfighters and a battalion of Jedi-led clone troopers within the facility itself. It’s a battle fought on three fronts – in space, on the ground, and underwater! A massive 64-page battle epic!

Star Wars: Republic reveals events in the time period between Episode II and Episode III – the Clone Wars! If you’re wondering what happens next after Attack of the Clones, this is where you find the answers!

Using the cutting-edge technology of three-dimensional scanning, Gentle Giant Studios scans the actors, models, costumes, and props to assure 100% realism. Making these statues the closest one can come to owning a piece of the Star Wars universe.

Due to Dark Horse’s successful handling of the Star Wars license for over 10 years, we were chosen by Gentle Giant to be the exclusive sales agent for these products. Due to high demand the quantity of this bust has been increased to 5,000 , We will allot the majority of this sure-to-be-in-demand mini-bust to the customers of Previews.

On sale January 8

Boba Fett

The mysterious Boba Fett is the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy. Well paid and highly sought after, this infamous mercenary scours the galaxy for profit and personal reward while leaving an indelible mark on all whom he encounters.

Hello new year. It’s that time when we all look back on the year before us, consider our goals and achievements, and party! Well, at least for one night. But you know, the rest of the nights are cold and bitter from here on out to Spring. However, we have the distraction that will take your mind off the weather and keep your eyeballs burning with action and charm. If action is what you want, catch 3×3 Eyes, as the our kids battle their way to the sacred land (they’re getting close!), or check out Shadow Star, where the shadow dragon kids are still wreaking havoc in the skies. Then there’s always Seraphic Feather, which is about to get freaky, as if it wasn’t already, and heck, even What’s Michael? Is all about the crazy action! Now for some charm. In Club 9 “Hello” is knocking men’s wallets loose unintentionally, to huge excess, and these guys have money (and influence) to spare. And don’t forget your weekly dose of technical notes from Appleseed Hypernote. Remember, winter is cold, Super Manga Blast! Is hot. Easy choice.

o Still the best manga bang for your buck – 128 pages of story and art for only $5.99!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale December 18

b&w, 128pg . . . $5.99

TONY MILLIONAIRE’S DRINKY CROW COASTER SET

It’s a no-brainer, really. Drinky Crow comes stumbling from the pages of Tony Millionaire’s weekly Maakies comic strip, where he ritually drowns his quandaries, to grace this saucy new set of coasters. Four festively coloured, sturdy, and thick coasters packaged in a bright and attractive tin stash box, with a bonus set of special drink recipes enclosed.

On sale March 19

4 full color coasters, packaged in a tin box . . . $12.99

USAGI YOJIMBO #63

by STAN SAKAI

It’s the return of Kitsune! Continuing their travels together, rabbit ronin Usagi and his young charge Jotaro encounter the beautiful thief Kitsune, only to discover that she’s become the target of a local gangster’s wrath. Believing her to be responsible for a shadowy blackmailing plot against him, the gangster will stop at nothing to capture Kitsune and force her confession – even it means destroying her in the process. But Usagi’s not about to let his friend be taken without a fight!

On sale January 29

b&w, 24pg . . . $2.99

WHAT’S MICHAEL?: FAT CAT IN THE CITY TP

by MAKOTO KOBAYASHI

Described as “Japan’s version of Garfield, Heathcliff, and Krazy Kat all rolled into one,” What’s Michael? blends slice-of-life cat-centric comedy any feline owner will recognize along with screwball fantasy scenarios that run kitty cats through the funhouse mirror. Whether Michael goes on a diet, has to deal with a new baby in the house, or contends with the return of a fugitive veterinarian (?), get ready for meow-larious tabby action!

“There’s something wonderfully universal about Michael’s escapades that almost anyone can relate to.”

– Greg McElhatton, iCOMICS.com

On sale February 19

SC, 88pg, b&w, 6″ x 9″, $8.95

ASTRO BOY VOLUME 12 TP

by OSAMU TEZUKA

With the rapidly expanding explosion of manga and anime, the vast creative and spiritual influence of the late, great Osamu Tezuka is being recognized worldwide, the skill, depth, and humanity of his storytelling placing him among the giants of the comics medium. Astro Boy is the action/adventure archetype for the 21st century, an action-packed roller-coaster ride fo5r all ages imbued with humor, warmth, and wry commentary on humanity in the technological age. In this volume: “Roboid”; “The Eues of Christ”; “Rejuvenating Gas”; and “Space Broadcast.”

The title page alone is worth the cover price on this one. It screams “poster!!” But, of course we’re not going to print only the title page. That would be ridiculous. So instead, we’re going to give you more and more of that signature Blade of the Immortal fighting action. This time, we’re in the middle of a battle featuring two of the coolest characters, Manji and Magatsu, and one of the most fearsome guys, Shira, as well as three lowly kenshi trying to make a dollar on the side, and adding some comic relief to this consistently tense title. These guys read like an homage to the three stooges. Hiroaki Samura is reputed by many to be the master of manga, his art unrivaled, his characters complex and emotional. Remember, manga is NOT just big eyes and speed lines, it’s tension, it’s character, it’s kinetic art, and when it’s Blade of the Immortal, it’s fan-freakin’-tastic!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 8

b&w, 32pg (3 of 6) . . . $2.99

B.P.R.D. BASEBALL HAT

Straight from the company store of the Bureau For Paranormal Research and Defense, this B.P.R.D. baseball-style hat is now available to the general public. This is a low-profile, solid black cotton hat, embroidered with the B.P.R.D logo. From the best-selling comic series created by Mike Mignola.

On sale March 26

Black, embroidered hat . . . $17.99

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #53: VIVA LAS BUFFY part 3 (of 4)

by FABIAN NICIEZA, SCOTT LOBDELL, CLIFF RICHARDS, and WILL CONRAD;

cover by BRIAN HORTON and PAUL LEE

Find out why Buffy and Pike split-up before Buffy moved to the Hellmouth. See just what happened to Giles in those fateful days before he was Buffy’s Watcher. Be the first one on your block to know when and where this whole Buffy/Angel thing started.

Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza continue their controversial take on the Slayer’s salad days. Don’t miss what every hardcore Buffy fan’s talking about.

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg (3 of 4) (Horton/Lee cover) . . . $2.99

FC, 32pg (3 of 4) (Photo cover) . . . $2.99

CANNON GOD EXAXXION #13

by KENICHI SONODA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS

The action is heating up in Cannon God Exaxxion, as our hero Hoichi has finally found his fighting spirit. At first troubled by the concept of sacrificing the few for he many, Hoichi saw many of his friends die at the hands of the colonizing aliens. Now that he’s seen how mean they can be, he’s about to show them the resolve of the humans, with fury and youthful rebellion. In the last issue, he was in a pitched battle with an alien robot of equal size and greater fury, but the fantastic technology developed by Hoichi’s grandfather was the victor, and the irony is the technology originally belonged to the aliens of the past! How did it come to be on Earth? And how did Hoichi’s grandfather develop the technology? Well, in issue #13 some of that will begin to be explained, and we’ll see how Akane deals with being a captor of the aliens. Will they force the information out of her. It’s a informational, nail-biting issue. Don’t miss it!

o From the creator of Gunsmith Cats!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 15

b&w, 40pg . . . $3.50

CLASSIC COMIC CHARACTERS #38: OFFISSA PUPP STATUE

Offissa Pupp is the third component of the unusual love triangle that began with Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse. The evolution of this triangle was gradual, reaching its full bloom in the twenties, as Herriman began to focus on characterization more intensely. This is when Offissa Pupp discovered his unrequited love for Krazy and made it his business to intercede in the ubiquitous brick-tossing episodes perpetrated by Ignatz. Offissa Pupp also served as a metaphor of order and authority, opposing the chaos represented by Ignatz..

She’s cute. She’s a barrel of fun. She’s irrepressible. And…a bit of a klutz. She’s Haruo Hattori, and now she’s leaving her little country farm town, her boyfriend, and her loony family for college in the big city. Before she leaves, she makes a pledge that she’ll remain true to her boyfriend, despite all the temptations a big city can throw at her, and the temptations pile up like cordwood when the need for a few yen to rub together nets her a job at Club 9, a hot hostess bar. The charming country girl lights a lot of fires in the hearts of the club patrons, and her short skirt is fanning the flames! How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm once they been to Club 9? Collecting the story-arc from issues #13-19 of the Super Manga Blast! ongoing series.

Club 9 is raucous slice-of-life, fish-out-of-water comedy as only What’s Michael? creator Makoto Kobayashi can craft.

On sale February 12

SC, 192pg, 6″ x 9″, b&w . . . $15.95

COOP COASTER SET

Devilish babes, sweet rides, clean lines, and a deep, devilish infatuation with the dark side have kept Coop on top of the low-brow artists’ heap for a long while. That, and of course, his incredibly gorgeous sense of design. Here is our latest addition to the Coop fan collection: a set of four thick and sturdy full color Coop coasters, packaged in a sweet little tin case.

On sale March 26

4 full-color coasters, packaged in a tin case . . . $12.99

GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE #4

by MASAMUNE SHIROW

An important meeting of VIPs at Poseidon Industrial turns to mayhem and then murder right under the nose of cyborg cyber-agent Motoko Aramaki and Poseidon’s security team. With the blood still wet on the polished hardwood, Motoko must once again jack into cyberspace and try to solve the crime with the use of one of her cyborg surrogates – providing her surrogate survives a knock-down drag-out encounter with a hit team of murderous machines! The mind-blowing sequel to the manga/anime classic Ghost in the Shell, Masamune Shirow’s Man-Machine Interface shatters the boundaries of graphic fiction, conjuring a fully realized visual reality unlike anything seen before but certain to be imitated for years to come.

o Special deluxe format with no interior advertising!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale January 22

FC/b&w, 32pg (no ads) . . . $3.50

GRENDEL: GOD AND THE DEVIL #0

by MATT WAGNER and TIM SALE;

cover by TIM SALE

Hunter Rose was only the beginning. Christine Spar and Brian Li Sung: merely pawns in the Devil’s grip, incubating the spirit of Grendel until it was ready to explode into the world and spread across all of human consciousness like a virus infecting its host. Now, several hundred years in the future, as mankind slowly pulls itself together after a third World War, opportunistic religions and obsessive corporations battle for attention. But one force rises above it all and dominates the public psyche – there’s a new drug in town, it’s euphoric, it’s deadly, it’s called Grendel!

o Written by Grendel creator Matt Wagner and illustrated by Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Daredevil: Yellow), this issue is the prelude to the groundbreaking and controversial Grendel series God and the Devil.

MATURE READERS

On sale January 8

FC, 32pg . . . $3.50

KISS #6

by JOE CASEY and MEL RUBI

It’s knock-down, drag-out fisticuffs in the hard-rocking, ass-kicking sixth issue of KISS as we wrap up their long-overdue second go-round with the Phantom. The team must defeat their evil robot counterparts in deadly, hand-to-hand combat, in the classic comic-book tradition, as flesh and blood meets heavy metal!

Don’t miss the conclusion to this fantastic 3-part story arc written by comic superstar Joe Casey (Wild CATS, X-Men) and drawn by Mel Rubi (Angel).

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg (Rubi cover) . . . $2.99

FC, 32pg (Photo cover) . . . $2.99

KISS: REDISCOVERY TP

BY JOE CASEY, MEL RUBI, and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Rock & Roll’s most outrageous icons return, bigger, badder, louder, and more powerful than ever before. KISS is back in comics. One of the comic industry’s hottest young writers, Joe Casey (Superman, Wildcats, X-Men), takes the KISS comics phenomenon in a bold new direction. In the years following the split-up of these four super-powered warriors, they’ve followed very separate paths. The Demon is a bounty hunter; The Starchild lives with a race of women warriors in South America; The Celestial is cruising the solar system with no human contact; and The Beast King’s getting in touch with his bestial side. When Beast King finally goes too far, the others realize they have to band together to save his humanity. But there’s another hand at work, pushing the Four Who Are One into a corner. Collecting the first four issues of the ongoing series!

On sale February 19

SC, 80pg, FC . . . $10.95

LITTLE ANNIE FANNY: THE COMPLETE HARDCOVER LIMITED EDITION

by HARVEY KURTZMAN and WILL ELDER

Dark Horse proudly rolls out the greatest pair since comics and sex first crossed paths – the complete two-volume slipcased edition of Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder’s three-decade contribution to Playboy Magazine.

From 1962 to 1988 Little Annie Fanny graced the pages of Playboy, lampooning every aspect of American life. Now every last strip is collected here, in a pink-leather hardcover set, with matching slipcase. A special tip-in plate is part of this special limited run of 500 sets, signed by Annie editor and Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner.

The Complete Little Annie Fanny is now the ultimate Playboy collectible!

On sale November 20

HC Ltd., 464pg, FC . . . $150.00

LONE WOLF 2100 #7

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

Many hands make small work, but small hands make simple slaves. Itto and Daisy travel through the congested underworld of Kowloon, China seeking refuge from the tireless pursuers hellbent on returning Daisy to the corporate labs of Cygnat Owari. But Fate deals both sides a wild card when she falls into the clutches of a remorseless child-labor camp run by renegade Emulation Constructs! Inspired by the timeless samurai drama of Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima’s classic Lone Wolf and Cub, Lone Wolf 2100 is winning fans and astounding readers with Mike Kennedy’s vision of a future gone bad and Francisco Ruiz Velasco’s incredible artwork.

o Don’t miss this month’s special companion book, Lone Wolf 2100: Eyes Only Files for of this amazing series!

On sale January 29

FC, 32pg . . . $2.99

LONE WOLF 2100: THE RED FILE (one-shot)

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

Now available for the first time anywhere, information ripped from the secret files of Terasawa, the android avatar of the Cygnat Owari’s Supreme Executive. Learn the hidden truth behind Dr. Ogami’s murder! Discover the classified details of the robot, android, and human assassins employed by Terasawa in his quest to destroy Itto and return Daisy Ogami to the Cygnat Owari labs! Find out how Terasawa has used the man made plague known as the War Spore to his own ends! More than just a “handbook” with information about the characters, these secret files tell an important story that forms the backdrop to all of Itto and Daisy’s adventures! This dossier-style book is packed with information and drawings that were part and parcel of the development of the hit series Lone Wolf 2100. Also includes dozens of new illustrations and designs!

On sale January 15

FC, 32pg (one-shot) . . . $2.99

LONE WOLF 2100: SHADOWS ON SAPLINGS TP

by MIKE KENNEDY and FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO

A young girl may hold the key to saving the world – or destroying it. A corporation wants her secret – no matter what it may be. Her only companion is an android – who is accused of killing her father. The first full-length adventure of young Daisy Ogami and her android protector Itto is now available in one volume! Plunge into the dystopian world one hundred years in the future, where human-like “Emulation Constructs” fight to enjoy the same rights as their human creators, where the vast majority of the world’s human population struggles to eke out an existence in a hostile landscape, and where both sides are victim to corporate whim and the deadly effects of a manmade plague. Collecting the first four issues of the series.

A ground-up re-imagining of the original Lone Wolf and Cub manga, this series is being done in association with, and under the watchful eye of Kazuo Koike, the writer and co-creator of Lone Wolf and Cub.

On sale February 19

SC, 104pg, FC . . . $12.95

THE NEVERMEN: STREETS OF BLOOD #1 (of 3)

BY PHIL AMARA, GUY DAVIS, and DAN JACKSON;

Cover by GUY DAVIS

After saving Midnight City from the twisted machinations of mutant villains, the Nevermen return to their lives as everyday citizens, unaware that an even greater threat stirs far below the city streets. He calls himself Winterbone, and he’s closer to the Nevermen than any of them could possibly imagine.

Streets of Blood, the followup to last year’s critically-acclaimed thriller, answers questions and reveals secrets about the enigmatic protectors of the innocent. Phil Amara and Guy Davis are cooking up a story that’s got more twists than a lime-rickey.

As you may remember from last month, the OMG! gang is in a bit of a predicament. In an attempt at storing a large amount of stuff in the temple/house where they live, Skuld has created a funky machine that stretches space, and as usual, Keichi messes up, and expands space too much. Well, the adventure continues and just gets stranger. Be prepared to meet a creature that lives inside the dimension of space. This creature has the capacity to wreak havoc, but whether or not it will, or wants to, remains to be seen. Also, special appearances abound! Who’s that on television? One hint, space is the theme.

On sale January 2

b&w, 32pg (4 of 5) . . . $2.99

OH MY GODDESS!: HAND IN HAND TP

by KOSUKE FUJISHIMA

What happens when a Goddess First Class gets a little tipsy when partying with pals? Well, lacking a mean bone in her body, the pickled Belldandy uses her powers to give everyone what they want – and every time she gives happiness to someone, there’s an unexpected consequence: boyfriend Keiichi is visited by an equal or greater unhappiness! And when Belldandy magically glues her hand to Keiichi’s, despite the best efforts of Bell’s sister goddesses Urd and Skuld to separate them, Keiichi’s begins to notice that there might be some benefits to be linked to the most beautiful goddess on earth! It’s bath time!

On sale February 5

SC, 256pg, b&w, 6″ x 9″ . . . $17.95

OH MY GODDESS! STICKERS

Stick these bright and colorful Oh My Goddess! stickers all around and spread the love! Stickers measure approximately 4″ square, and have a palpable goddess aura about them. Each sticker is UV coated to ensure the image will never fade.

On sale February 12

Belldandy sticker . . . $1.99

Urd sticker . . . $1.99

Bampei sticker . . . $1.99

Oh My Goddess! logo sticker . . . $1.99

Also available as a four-pack in a polybag and printed headercard with j-hook for . . .$6.99.

PUBO #2 (of 3)

by LELAND PURVIS

Worldly misfit and bizarre medical wonder P.U.B.O. (Physical Unipolar Biogenic Organism) has crash landed in the vast Pacific Northwest wilderness. Now he’s on the run from those who made him what he is and a few of the less friendly, furry, woodland creatures he’s managed to piss off in his short time among them. The forest is alive, the animals can talk, and Pubo’s in over his head in part two of this hilarious miniseries from Xeric Award-winning creator Leland Purvis.

On sale January 22

b&w, 24pg (2 of 3) . . . $3.50

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #5

by RANDY STRADLEY, DAVIDÉ FABBRI, and CHRISTIAN DELLA VECCHIA

Cover by BRYAN CHING

In the weeks prior to the events in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa undertakes a covert mission to deliver much needed supplies to the Rebel Alliance on the planet Ralltiir, only to have her mission thwarted when the forces of the Empire – including Darth Vader – take control of the planet. Leia escapes without the Imperials discovering the true reason for her visit, but she realizes that the time may be past for talk and “mercy missions.” Turning her attention to another of the galaxy’s trouble spots, Leia finds herself up to her neck in Imperial trouble and comes to terms with the need to take up arms against an evil enemy. Before she was a political firebrand, driven by an outraged sense of justice. Now she must fight to save a people targeted for extinction.

o Expanded from the National Public Radio dramatization of Star Wars, this two-issue story reveals for the first time the pivotal events that transformed Leia from a princess…to a warrior.

Two months after the Battle of Geonosis…w ith the forces of the Republic and the armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems stalled in a series of indecisive battles, the Separatists risk a devastating strike at the heart of the Republic’s war machine: they attack the cloning facility on Kamino! Their hope is to permanently destroy the Republic’s ability to create new clones for its army. The Republic’s defense rests on a squadron of Jedi Starfighters and a battalion of Jedi-led clone troopers within the facility itself. It’s a battle fought on three fronts – in space, on the ground, and underwater! A massive 64-page battle epic!

Star Wars: Republic reveals events in the time period between Episode II and Episode III – the Clone Wars! If you’re wondering what happens next after Attack of the Clones, this is where you find the answers!

Using the cutting-edge technology of three-dimensional scanning, Gentle Giant Studios scans the actors, models, costumes, and props to assure 100% realism. Making these statues the closest one can come to owning a piece of the Star Wars universe.

Due to Dark Horse’s successful handling of the Star Wars license for over 10 years, we were chosen by Gentle Giant to be the exclusive sales agent for these products. Due to high demand the quantity of this bust has been increased to 5,000 , We will allot the majority of this sure-to-be-in-demand mini-bust to the customers of Previews.

On sale January 8

Boba Fett

The mysterious Boba Fett is the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy. Well paid and highly sought after, this infamous mercenary scours the galaxy for profit and personal reward while leaving an indelible mark on all whom he encounters.

Hello new year. It’s that time when we all look back on the year before us, consider our goals and achievements, and party! Well, at least for one night. But you know, the rest of the nights are cold and bitter from here on out to Spring. However, we have the distraction that will take your mind off the weather and keep your eyeballs burning with action and charm. If action is what you want, catch 3×3 Eyes, as the our kids battle their way to the sacred land (they’re getting close!), or check out Shadow Star, where the shadow dragon kids are still wreaking havoc in the skies. Then there’s always Seraphic Feather, which is about to get freaky, as if it wasn’t already, and heck, even What’s Michael? Is all about the crazy action! Now for some charm. In Club 9 “Hello” is knocking men’s wallets loose unintentionally, to huge excess, and these guys have money (and influence) to spare. And don’t forget your weekly dose of technical notes from Appleseed Hypernote. Remember, winter is cold, Super Manga Blast! Is hot. Easy choice.

o Still the best manga bang for your buck – 128 pages of story and art for only $5.99!

FOR MATURE READERS

On sale December 18

b&w, 128pg . . . $5.99

TONY MILLIONAIRE’S DRINKY CROW COASTER SET

It’s a no-brainer, really. Drinky Crow comes stumbling from the pages of Tony Millionaire’s weekly Maakies comic strip, where he ritually drowns his quandaries, to grace this saucy new set of coasters. Four festively coloured, sturdy, and thick coasters packaged in a bright and attractive tin stash box, with a bonus set of special drink recipes enclosed.

On sale March 19

4 full color coasters, packaged in a tin box . . . $12.99

USAGI YOJIMBO #63

by STAN SAKAI

It’s the return of Kitsune! Continuing their travels together, rabbit ronin Usagi and his young charge Jotaro encounter the beautiful thief Kitsune, only to discover that she’s become the target of a local gangster’s wrath. Believing her to be responsible for a shadowy blackmailing plot against him, the gangster will stop at nothing to capture Kitsune and force her confession – even it means destroying her in the process. But Usagi’s not about to let his friend be taken without a fight!

On sale January 29

b&w, 24pg . . . $2.99

WHAT’S MICHAEL?: FAT CAT IN THE CITY TP

by MAKOTO KOBAYASHI

Described as “Japan’s version of Garfield, Heathcliff, and Krazy Kat all rolled into one,” What’s Michael? blends slice-of-life cat-centric comedy any feline owner will recognize along with screwball fantasy scenarios that run kitty cats through the funhouse mirror. Whether Michael goes on a diet, has to deal with a new baby in the house, or contends with the return of a fugitive veterinarian (?), get ready for meow-larious tabby action!

“There’s something wonderfully universal about Michael’s escapades that almost anyone can relate to.”